Community push to revive historic water race gains momentum

Highton Rotary Club members (L-R) David Sinclair, Rod Morrison, Malcolm Marquardt and Stephen Bath. Photos: PETER MARSHALL
Volunteers from the Highton Rotary Club have been advocating for restoration works at the heritage site for almost four years, after a 10m breach occurred in the wall of the water race that once concentrated water from the Barwon River into a small channel.
A 2,000-signature petition calling for the restoration initiated by the Highton Rotary Club, was tabled in Parliament earlier this year by Liberal Member for Western Victoria Bev McArthur.
She said repairing the water race could be “transformative” and called for the repairs to be approved.
“Decades of neglect on this Crown land should end.
“Imagine water cascading 15 metres over the spillway, boosting tourism and bringing history back to life.

“This is a real opportunity to combine positive ecology and heritage, and it does not need taxpayer money – there are multiple volunteers and groups standing by ready to fundraise.”
In responding late last month to the petition, Minister for Water Gayle Tierney acknowledged the “significant heritage value” of the water race and the community’s advocacy for its restoration.
“The heritage value of restoring the water race needs to be balanced with the provision of environmental benefits, such as allowing fish passage, natural water flow and the protection of Aboriginal cultural values in this reach of the Barwon River.”
She said waterway manager Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA) had recently secured $1.67 million in federal funding and would undertake “detailed consultation and planning” with Heritage Victoria, the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and broader community on the issue.
“This will determine the best way forward for this section of the Barwon River, including the installation of fishways at the Paper Mill rock pool and Buckley Falls.

“The most appropriate approach for management of the water race will be further considered as part of this work and formal meetings with all key stakeholders are planned for April 2025.”
In the interim, the Highton Rotary Club are urging the community to maintain their support for the restoration works by attending a tour of the Fyansford Paper Mill precinct.
Since the club launched the tours, which also serve to raise funds for its community programs, in November 2022, they have welcomed almost 4,000 visitors and hope further guests will help illustrate the value of the site.
Highton Rotary Club’s Stephen Bath said the paper mill was “well worth a visit”.
“It’s still a hidden gem of Geelong and pretty much everyone that has come on a tour has actually marvelled at the area.”